Apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying self-adhering pressure sensitive labels or the like to articles comprising a carrier band for detachably supporting the labels, and deflecting edge means about which the carrier band is guided in order to free the labels from such carrier band. A pivotably mounted table means cooperates with the carrier hand, and the deflecting edge is disposed at an outer end of such pivotably mounted table means. Additionally motor-driven transport means are provided for advancing the carrier band, and controls means serve to stop the motor-driven transport means as a function of the feed position of a label.

K. RNZI sept. 12, 1972 3,690,996 APPARATUS FOR THE APPLICATION 0EsELP-ADHERING LABELS 0R THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 27, 1970 mwNN wm @TQ Q sept. 12, 1972 RNZ,

LABELS OR THE LIKE Filed July 27, 1970 K. APPARATUS FOR THE APPLICATIONOF SELF-ADHERING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Sept. l2, 1972 K. RUNzl 3 690,996

9 APPARATUS FOR THE APPLICATION OF SELF-ADHERING LABELS 0R THE LIKE 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 27, 1970 Fg.9 y

K. RNZI sept. 12, 1972 APPARATUS FOR THE APPLICATION OF SELF-ADHERINLABELS OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 27, 1970 United StatesPatent 3,690,996 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 3,690,996 APPARATUS FOR THEAPPLICATION OF SELF- ADHERING LABELS R THE LIKE Kurt Rnzi,Kusnacllterstrasse 59, Zumikon, Switzerland Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 708,682, Feb. 27, 1968. This application July 27,1970, Ser. No. 58,519 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Mar. 1,1967,

1 ruf. ci. nsc 9/18, 9/42 U.S. Cl. 156-542 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An apparatus for applying self-adhering pressure sensitivelabels or the like to articles comprising a carrier band for detachablysupporting the labels, and deilecting edge means about which the carrierband is guided in order to free the labels from such carrier band. Apivotably mounted table means cooperates with the carrier hand, and thedefiecting edge means is disposed at an outer end of such pivotablymounted table means. Additionally, motor-driven transport means areprovided for advancing the carrier band, and control means serve to stopthe motor-driven transport means as a function of the feed position of alabel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvedapparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the like tosubstantially flat objects or articles, wherein the carrier banddetachably carrying or supporting the labels is guided about adellecting edge in order to release or free the labels from the carrierband.

The present application is a continution-in-part application of mypatent application, Ser. No. 708,682, filed Feb. 27, 1968, nowabandoned.

It is already known to the art to print upon selfadhering labels, whichare located upon a carrier band and detachable from the latter, by meansof a suitable printing device, for instance by means of a high-speedprinter which is operably associated with a computer. In this manner itis possible to print addresses, for instance, on the labels. The labelsmust subsequently be freed from the carrier band and applied to anarticle which is to be labeled, for instance an envelope. It has alreadybeen proposed to guide the carrier band about a sharp edge in order tofacilitate release of the individual labels, so that these labels can beeasily drawn off of the carrier band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is toprovide an improved apparatus of the mentioned type which enables thelabels to be adhesively applied in large quantities and in an extremelyquick and rational manner to flat articles or objects.

Another, more specic object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for quickly, reliably, efficiently and cleanlyapplying labels or the like to articles.

Yet a further noteworthy object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or thelike to articles in an etlicient and economical manner, capable ofoperating at relatively high performance speeds, and wherein theapparatus structure itself is extremely efficient and reliable, easy touse, and constructed as a transportable unit.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the inventive apparatus incorporates a table which can bepositively pivoted and with the dellecting edge being located at theoutermost end of such table. Additionally, there is provided amotor-driven transport means for feeding the carrier band for thelabels, which motion is independent from the motion of the table. Theinvention further contemplates control means for interrupting therotational movement of the band feed-drive motor as a function of thefeed position ofthe labels.

Owing to the inventive apparatus it is possible to reliably removeself-adhering labels or the like from a carrier band with relativelysimple means and to apply such to a ilat object or article, preferablyenvelopes, newspapers, or other printed matter, shipping bags, or thelike. Furthermore, the inventive apparatus is capable of working at ahigh hourly output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood, and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent, when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan View of a preferred embodiment of inventiveapparatus;

lFIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed in thedirection of the arrow A of FIG. l, the table being in its loweredposition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing a detail of a feeler wheelcooperating with a microswitch;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially sectional plan -view showing a detailof one of the transport rollers;

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a view of the front portion of the pivotal table member usedin the apparatus structure of FIG. 1, shown in conjunction with theoperably associated carrier band and the llabel; which can be removedfrom such carrier band, the table member being in rest position;

FIG. 7 is a ,view similar to FIG. 6, but the table member being loweredupon the supply stack so that the labels can be pressed onto theuppermost sheet or the like;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing how the upermost sheettogether with the label is pulled away; and

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing details of the motormounting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Describing now the drawings, theinventive apparatus shown by way of example in FIGS. l to 9 incorporatesa frame member 1 provided with two lateral sheet metal plate members 2between which there is formed a receiving compartment 3. This receivingcompartment 3 is shown to possess a substantially rectangularcross-sectional configuration and serves to house the label material 4which is to be processed and which may be in rollor stack-likeconfiguration, as such will be explained more fully hereinafter. At thefront end of the inventive apparatus there is arranged a pivotable tablemember 5 or rocker which is mounted for pivotal movement about a shaftmember 6 relative to the frame member 1. A handwheel 7 is seated at oneend of this shaft member 6 and the opposite shaft end is operablyassociated with a suitable electric drive motor 8 as shown in FIG. 9.This drive motor 8 is equipped with a speed-reduction gear unit 9 andthus can transmit rotational movement to the shaft member 6.

A transport roller 10 is rigidly connected for rotation with the shaftmember 6. This transport roller 10 coacts or meshes like gear wheelswith a further transport roller 11 which is located beneath the roller10. Additionally, the pivotal table member '5 is provided with apressure roller 12 in front position, which, in turn, is pivotablymounted by two lateral arm members 13, so that this pressure roller 112can rock about a transverse axis in addition and independently to themovement of the pivotal table member 5. The pressure roller 12 serves topress each label into contact with the uppermost envelope or otherarticle following separation from the carrier band 40. The pressureroller 12 is pressed downwardly by a spring 14 against a stop 97arranged on the side wall of the table member 5. The pressure roller 12is mounted in overhanging fashion with respect to the table member andis adjustable in the direction of feed of the carrier band means in suchmanner that the roller 12 can either be lixed in the opening 86 or inthe opening 88. After disconnecting the motor 8 the next label is lyingdirectly under the pressure roller 12 as shown in FIG. 6 and is stillsupported along a small strip by the carrier band 40.

Furthermore, it should be understood that an electromagnet 15 orsolenoid is operably associated with the pivotal table member 5. Thiselectromagnet 15 incorporates an armature or plunger 16 which engageswith the pivotal table member 5 through the agency of an angledconnection piece 17.

The angled connection piece 17 engages with a sleeve member 91 which ispiercingly penetrated by a rod 90. This rod 90 is rigidly connected toboth lateral sheet metal support walls 20 of the table member 5. Thebearings 93 of the transport roller 11 are also affixed to the samemetal support walls 20. Thus the point of application of the force ofthe connection piece 17 is radially spaced from the pivot axis of thetable member 5. Consequently, when the electromagnet 15 is energized,the pivotal table member 5 carries out a rocking or pivotal movement inthe direction of the arrow B of FIG. 2.

Additionally, a transverse shaft member 21 is supported at the two sidewalls 20 of the pivotal table member 5. This transverse shaft member 21serves for mounting the housing 60 of a microswitch 22. This microswitch22 includes an operating lever 23 which carries at its front end afeeler wheel 24, as best shown by referring to FIG. 3. This feeler wheel24 is rotatable about a pin member 25 and possesses an essentiallytriangular configuration which includes three radially extendingprojections or arms 44, as shown. The pin member 2'5 is supported by twotongues 18 extending from the operating lever 23. The front end of thehousing `60 of the microswitch 22 is supported near the feeler wheel 24by two rollers 26 which bear upon the labels 43 carried by the carrierband 40 which is supported by the surface of the table plate 27. In thecontext of this application, it is to be understood that the term labelsis used in its broader sense, and therefore also encompasses papersheets, cards or the like which can be applied to an article in themanner under consideration.

FIG. 6 illustrates the table member 5 in the rest position in which theforward portion of a label 43- is disposed beneath the roller 12 and isonly retained by means of its rearmost portion at the carrier band 40.The foremost label 43 is extending to the region of the pressure roller12. The feeler wheel 24 is just pushing against the edge of thefollowing label.

In FIG. 7 the table member -5 has been lowered upon the supply stack 46,so that the labels 43 can be pressed by means of the roller 12 onto theuppermost sheet or the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates the manner in which the uppermost sheet together withthe adhesively bonded label 33 is manually pulled away in the directionof the arrow C, after it has been loosened from the carrier band 40, byvirtue of the advancing movement thereof. Thereafter, the table means 5again raises under the action of spring member 33 since theelectromagnet 15 is deenergized. The advance of the carrier band 40, inthe '4 meantime continues further until the motor 8 has been switchedoff by the microswitch 22.

FIG. 9 illustrates a section through the mounting means of the motor 8.The motor 8 partakes in the movements of the table member -5 in order toprevent additional movement being transmitted to the transport roller10, and thereby to the feed of the labels when the table member 5 movesup or down. The shaft 6, on the one hand, is rotatably connected withthe transport roller 10, and on the other hand, with the motor 8 and thetransmission or gears 9. `Between the housing of the transmission 9 andthe sheet metal support wall 20 there is located a ring-shapedintermediate spacing member which is pierced by a hollow screw 96. Bymeans of this screw 96, the sheet metal support wall 20 and thetransmission housing are pressed together so that the motor 8 with thetransmission 9 and the table member 5 forms a composite unit as far asmovement is concerned. A slot or opening 99 is provided in the platemember 2, this opening being larger than the external diameter of theintermediate member 5. Pin members 94 are provided for the additionalsupport of the transmission housing 9. These pin members 94 are looselybearing against the plate member 2 and sliding along such. The motor 8,the electromagnet 15 as well as the further elements are covered by asuitable coveringlor hood 98.

Continuing, it will be recognized that a pulley 30 is additionallyseated upon the shaft member `6 about which rocks the pivotal tablemember 5. An endless rubber belt 31 is trained about this pulley 30 andthe belt 31 is driving a transport shaft 32 at the rear end of theapparatus. A tension spring 33 serves to hold the pivotal table memberv5 in its upper terminal or rest position.

Deflecting element 34 extends vertically upwards from the front regionof the receiving compartment 3. The top portion of this deccting element34 is provided with a rounded portion 61 about which is guided thecarrier band 40 together with the labels 43 supported by such carrierband.

As part of the electrical equipment for the inventive apparatus there isstill to be mentioned the on-off switch 35, the transformer 36, afoot-actuated switch, as well as further conventional electricalcomponents such as relays, fuses and the like.

Individual pressure sensitive labels 43 are arranged along the carrierband 40 at a distance of about two millimeters from one another. Theselabels 43 can be provided with printing or the like, for instance withaddresses which have been printed by a line printer or computer. Thethickness of the carrier band 40 and the labels 43 has been exaggeratedin FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8 in order to improve the comprehensibility of theillustration. The side of each label 43 which confronts the carrier band40 is provided with a suitable self-adhering adhesive layer whichslightly adheres to the upper surface of the carrier band 40 in such amanner that it can be easily removed. This carrier band 40 isadvantageously rolled into a supply roll 4 or else it can be folded intoa substantially zig-zag-shaped stack and placed in the receiving orreception compartment 3. At the front end of the inventive apparatusthese labels 43 are removed from the carrier band 40 and applied to aiiat article or object, for example in the form of an envelope 46.

For this purpose, the carrier band 40, together with the labels 43carried thereby, is initially guided about a dellecting member 34, whichhas the form of a sheet metal member, and from this location is thenguided beneath a shaft member 46 and the Hat or blade spring means 37.Thus, the carrier band 40 now extends sub` stantially parallel to thesurface of the table plate 27 of the pivotably mounted table member 5.The carrier band 40 is sharply deflected about the transverselyextending edge 38 of the pivotal table member 5. The thus deiiectedcarrier band 40 then extends between both of the transport rollers 10and 11 and is positively gripped by these rollers. At the rear end ofthe apparatus this carrier band 40 is engaged by two coacting rollers 41and 42 and is conveyed rearwardly away. It should be apparent thatduring the feed or advancement of the carrier band 40 there occurs anautomatic release of the forwardmost label 43 from the carrier yband 40at the region of the detiecting edge 38. This is because the labels 43do not undertake the pronounced deflection about the deflecting edge,rather tend to move further in linear direction and, thus, separate fromthe surface of the carrier band 40, as such has been shown in FIG. 6.

After switching in the switch 35 the -apparatus is placed into operationby means of a foot pedal or a manually operated switch.

FIG. illustrates the circuit diagram of the apparatus of the invention.A transformer 62 is coupled to the alternating-current supply network60, the current being capable of being switched-in and switched-out bymeans of a main switch 61. Additionally, a rectifier arrangement 63 iselectrically coupled with the supply network 60. Current is supplied tothe rectifier arrangement 63 when the switch 68 is closed across theconductors 77, so that thereafter the electromagnet is energized via theconductors 76. Hence, the plunger or armature 16 is drawn into the coilor solenoid and the table member 5 is pivoted.

At the low-voltage side of the transformer 62 there is coupled a furtherrectier arrangement 74. The switch 50 of the foot pedal 75 is connectedwith the positive pole of the rectitier arrangement 74, as shown. In therest condition, the switch 50 bears against the contact 58. On the otherhand, if the foot pedal 75 is depressed, then contact 59 is closed. Inthe illustrated rest condition the switch 50 is coupled via the contact58 and the conductor 79 with an open switch 66. When this switch 66 isclosed by the associated relay 64, then, current is supplied to therelay 70 so that the current circuit to the rectifier arrangement 74 isclosed via the conductor 82. The switches 66, 67 and 68 are mechanicallyconnected by a coupling means 69.

On the other hand, when the foot pedal 75 is depressed, then there isprovided a current circuit starting at one pole of the rectifiedarrangement 74 which then leads to the switch 50, and through thecontact 59, the conductor 80, to the relay 64 and via the conductor 82back to the other pole of the rectifier arrangement 74.

A further current path is provided when the microswitch 22 is closedowing to rotation of the feeler wheel 24. Then the current flows fromthe positive pole of the rectifier arrangement 74, thrC ugh themicroswitch 22, the conductor 78, the switch 76 actuated by the relay64, through the relay 71 and the conductor 82 to the negative pole ofthe rectifier arrangement. Both relays 70 and 71 act upon a commonmechanical actuaction element 73 by means of which the contact 72 can beopened or closed. The one relay 70 displaces the actuation element inthe one direction and the other relay 71 in the other direction, as suchhas been indicated in FIG. 5 by arrows. The actuation element 73 and,therefore, the contact 72 remains in the last assumed position since noreturn spring is provided. When the contact 72 is closed-that is as soonas the relay 70 is energizedthen the current circuit for the motor 8 isclosed via the conductor 83.

The mode of operation of the system heretofore described is as follows:as soon as the foot pedal 75 has been depressed, the relay 64 issupplied with current via the switch 50, the contact 59, the conductor80 and the conductor 82. As a result, the contacts 66 and 68 associatedwith this relay are closed by means of the cornmon actuation element 69and the contact 67 as opened.

The rectifier arrangement 63 is supplied with current by virture of thenow closed contact 68 and the electromagnet 15 is energized so that thetable member 5 is moved in the direction of the arrow B (FIG. 2). Now,as soon as the foot pedal 75 has returned back into the rest positionillustrated in FIG. 5, then there is provided a current circuit from thepositive pole of the rectifier, throught the switch 50, the contact 58,the now closed contact 66 to the relay 70, and via the conductor 82 backto the negative pole of the rectifier arrangement. The switch 22 isclosed only during a short time because the motor 8 is running downandthe switch 22 is again opened during this movement.

Deenergization of the relay 64 is delayed by means of the capacitor 65.Due to energization of the relay 70, the contact 72 is closed, and onlythen does the motor 8 begin to rotate, which then brings about advanceof the labels 43. Motor 8 rotates-independently of the movement of thetable member 5-for such length of time until the feeler wheel 24 closesthe microswitch 22 and thereby places the relay 71 under current via theconductor 78 and the contact 67 which, in turn, opens the contact 72 andthus interrupts further rotation of the motor 8. During a brief moment,the electro-magnet 15 is under current so that the table means 5 islowered and the motor 8 is simultaneously in operation. Stopping of themotor 8 is independent of the electromagnet and the position assumed bythe table means 5 and is only controlled by the feed or advancedposition of the labels by means of feeler wheel 24.

Instead of using two different relays 70 and 71, it would also bepossible to employ a single polarized relay having two differentoppositely acting windings.

The carrier band 40 is pulled between and with the aid of the transportrollers 10 and 11 and a label 43 begins to release itself from thecarrier band 40. As soon as the feeler wheel member 24 drops into theintermediate space 47 between two neighboring labels 43, then one of theprojections 44 of the feeler wheel 24 which is located in theintermediate space 43 abuts against the edge 45 of the subsequent ortrailing label 43 during further transport or conveying of these labelsand is thus entrained. The resulting partial rotation of the feelerwheel 24 through about one third of a revolution causes a raising orlifting of the actuation spring lever 23 of the microswitch 22, therebycausing this microswitch 22 to be thrown, whereby the drive motor 8 andthus the -feed of the carrier band 40 is interrupted, so that anincrement advance of the tape is effected. This feeler Wheel 24therefore serves to increase the actuation stroke since the thickness ofthe label material is relatively small and is generally not suflicientto bring about actuation of the microswitch 22.

The inventive apparatus is advantageously constructed as a completeseparable unit which can be readily removed from its associated supportsurface and can then be transported to and mounted at any randomlyselected new location.

It is believed evident that by providing a label-applying apparatus asdescribed above, all of the objects set forth at the outset of thespecification have been successfully fulfilled.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

i1. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially flat objects, comprising a carrier band means forsupporting the labels with an intermediate space between each twoneighboring labels, deflecting edge means about which said carrier bandmeans is guided and thence rearwardly directed in order to separate thelabels from said carrier band means, table means pivotable about atransverse axis terminating in said transverse deflecting edge means,said deecting edge means being disposed at the region of the outer endof said pivotably mounted table means, transport roller means, drivemotor means for at least some of said transport roller means, saidtransport roller means cooperating with a portion of said carrier bandmeans which has been freed of labels for advancing said carrier bandmeans, at least part of said transport roller means being arranged inthe region of the axis of said pivotably mounted table means, controlmeans for stopping said transport roller means as a function of the feedposition of said labels, electromagnet means `for positive pivoting saidtable means about pivot shaft means in downward direction towards eachof said flat objects, first switching means, said control means beingdisposed on said pivotably mounted table means and including meanscoacting with the labels and said intermediate space and cooperatingwith said first switching means, said first switching means controllingthe rotation of said transport roller means, second switching meanscontrolling said electro-magnet means, the i'st and second switchingmeans allowing independent movement of said table means and saidtransport roller means, pressure roller means supported by said tablemeans and arranged forward of said deflecting edge means for pressing alabel into contact with the object to which it is to be applied, saidcontrol means controlling operation of said first switching meanscontrolling the rotation of said transport roller means in order to stopsaid carrier band means when the next label following the label appliedto the object is lying directly beneath said pressure roller means andis still supported along a small strip by said carrier band means, saidapparatus being portable as a unit.

2. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially fiat objects, comprising a carrier band means forsupporting the labels with an intermediate space between each twoneighboring labels, defiecting edge means about which said carrier bandmeans is guided and thence rearwardly directed in order to separate thelabels from said carrier band means, table means pivotable about atransverse axis terminating in said transverse deiiecting edge means,said defiecting edge means being disposed at the region of the outer endof said pivotably mounted table means, transport roller means, drivemotor means for transport roller means, said transport roller meanscooperating with a portion of said carrier band means which has beenfreed of labels for advancing said carrier band means, at least part ofsaid transport roller means being arranged in the region of the axis ofsaid pivotably mounted table means, control means for stopping saidtransport roller means as a function of the feed position of saidlabels, electro-magnet means for positive pivoting said table meansabout pivot shaft means towards each of said fiat objects, firstswitching means, said control means being disposed on said pivotablymounted table means and including means coacting with the labels andsaid intermediate space and cooperating with said first switching means,said first switching means controlling the rotation of said transportroller means, second switching means controlling said electro-magnetmeans, the first and second switching means allowing independentmovement of said table means and said transport roller means, pressureroller means supported by said table means and arranged forward of saiddefiecting edge means for pressing a label into contact with the objectto which it is to be applied, said apparatus being portable as a unit,and wherein said transport roller means comprise a pair of cooperatingtoothed rollers supported by said table means and engaging said carrierband means therebetween, one of said toothed rollers defining thepivotal axis of said table means.

3. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially fiat objects, comprising a carrier band means forsupporting the labels with an intermediate space between each twoneighboring labels, deecting edge means about which said carrier bandmeans is guided and thence rearwardly directed in order to separate thelabels from said carrier band means, table means pivotable about atransverse axis terminating in said transverse deflecting edge means,said deflecting edge means being disposed at the region of the outer endof said pivotably mounted table means, transport roller means, drivemotor means for at least some of said transport roller means, saidtransport roller means cooperating with a portion of said carrier bandmeans which has been freed of labels for advancing said carrier bandmeans, at least part of said transport roller means being arranged inthe region of the axis of said pivotably mounted table means, controlmeans for stopping said transport roller means as a function of the feedposition of said labels, electro-magnet means for positive pivoting saidtable means about pivot shaft means towards each of said flat objects,first switching means, said control means being disposed on saidpivotably mounted table means and including means coacting with thelabels and said intermediate space and cooperating with said firstswitching means, said first switching means controlling the rotation ofsaid transport roller means, second switching means controlling saidelectro-magnet means, the first and second switching means allowingindependent movement of said table means and said transport rollermeans, pressure roller means supported by said table means and arrangedforward of said deflecting edge means for pressing a label into contactwith the object to which it is to be applied, said apparatus beingportable as a unit, a reduction gear for said drive motor means, andwherein said drive motor means and the reduction gear are seated uponsaid pivot shaft means, a housing for said drive motor means andreduction gear, and the housing of said drive motor means and reductiongear is rockable together with said table means.

4. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially flat objects as defined in claim 1, wherein said firstswitching means being in the circuit of said drive motor means forinterrupting the supply of current of said drive motor means when saidfirst switching means are opened, the open position of said firstswitching means being reached as soon as the foremost label extendsunder the pressure roller means, said control means coacting with theleading edge of the neighboring label behind said foremost label.

5. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially fiat objects as dened in claim 1, further includinglever means, said electromagnet means including a solenoid cooperatingwith said lever means, said lever means being connected to said tablemeans at a point which is radially spaced from the pivot axis of saidtable means, and spring means for urging said table means into a restposition in which the defiecting edge is spaced from a stack of saidflat objects.

6. An apparatus for the application of self-adhering labels or the liketo substantially at objects, comprising a carrier band means forsupporting the labels with an intermediate space between each twoneighboring labels, defiecting edge means about which said carrier bandmeans is guided and thence rearwardly directed in order to separate thelabels from said carrier band means, table means pivotable about atransverse axis terminating in said transverse deflecting edge means,said defiecting edge means being disposed at the region of the outer endof said pivotably mounted table means, transport roller means, drivemotor means for at least some of said transport roller means, saidtransport roller means cooperating with a portion of said carrier bandmeans which has been freed of labels for advancing said carrier bandmeans, at least part of said transport roller means being arranged inthe region of the axis of said pivotably mounted table means, controlmeans for stopping said transport roller means as a function of the feedposition of said labels, electromagnet means for positive pivoting saidtable means about pivot shaft means towards each of said flat objects,first switching means, said control means being disposed on saidpivotably mounted table means and including means coacting with thelabels and said intermediate space and cooperating with said firstswitching means, said first switching means controlling the rotation ofsaid transport roller means, second switching means controlling saidelectro-magnet means, the first and second switching means allowingindependent movement of said table means and said transport rollermeans, pressure roller means supported by said table means and arrangedforward of said cleecting edge means for pressing a label into contact 910 with the object to which it is to be applied, said apparatusReferences Cited being portable as a unit, rst relay means, a manuallyoperated switch, and wherein said manually operated UNITED STATESPATENTS switch is electrically connected to said irst relay means,314051021 10/1968 Marano 156-542 X said first relay means havingcontacts, at least one of said 5 3,468'739 9/1959 SChIOZ -1 156-542 Xcontacts of said iirst relay means being in the circuit of 3,321,1055/1957 Marano 156-361 X aidthelectrot-mtagxetnrais, :il secorxliIi1rglay, attlleastirmiet FOREIGN PATENTS ur er con ac o sal s re ay me selngln ec u 662,469 5/1963 Canada 156 S41 of said second relay, saidsecond relay having a switch lying in the circuit of said drive motormeans, said first 10 switching means and said switch of said secondrelay being BENJAMIN A' BORCHELT Primary Examiner arranged in series,the arrangement being such that said J. M. HANLEY, Assistant Examinerdrive motor means can rotate over a period of time inde- Y pendently ofthe energized period of said electro-magnet U.S. Cl. X.R.

means. 15 156-234, 361

